Cochlear Implants

A cochlear (koe-klee-er) implant is a device that provides direct electrical stimulation to the auditory (hearing) nerve in the inner ear. Children and adults with a severe to profound hearing loss who cannot be helped with hearing aids may be helped with cochlear implants.

This type of hearing loss is sensorineural, which means there is damage to the tiny hair cells in the part of the inner ear called the cochlea. Because of this damage, sound cannot reach the auditory nerve. With a cochlear implant, the damaged hair cells are bypassed, and the auditory nerve is stimulated directly.

The cochlear implant does not result in “restored” or “cured” hearing. It does, however, allow for the perception of the sensation of sound.

The benefits from a cochlear implant depend on many factors, such as:

The age of the patient when he or she receives the implant

Whether the hearing loss was present before or after the patient developed language skills

Cochlear implants have external (outside) parts and internal (surgically implanted) parts that work together to allow the user to perceive sound.

External parts: The external parts include a microphone, a speech processor, and a transmitter. The microphone looks like a behind-the-ear hearing aid. It picks up sounds—just like a hearing aid microphone does—and sends them to the speech processor.

The speech processor may be housed with the microphone behind the ear, or it may be a small box-like unit typically worn in a chest pocket. The speech processor is a computer that analyzes and digitizes the sound signals and sends them to a transmitter worn on the head just behind the ear.

The transmitter sends the coded signals to an implanted receiver just under the skin.

Internal parts: The internal (implanted) parts include a receiver and electrodes. The receiver is just under the skin behind the ear. The receiver takes the coded electrical signals from the transmitter and delivers them to the array of electrodes that have been surgically inserted in the cochlea. The electrodes stimulate the fibers of the auditory nerve, and sound sensations are perceived.

Where can I go to get a cochlear implant?

There are cochlear implant centers around the country. At these centers, teams of professionals work together with patients from start to finish. Team members typically include an audiologist, otologist (ear doctor)/surgeon, psychologist, counselor, and speech-language pathologist.

The team works with individuals and their families to determine candidacy for an implant, perform the surgery, and provide follow-up care. This follow-up care occurs at the implant center as well as through local agencies or school districts near the patient.

What is involved in the process of getting a cochlear implant?

Once a person is referred to the cochlear implant center, more testing is done to determine whether the person is a suitable candidate. This testing usually includes audiologic testing, psychological testing, medical examination, and tests performed by the surgeon.

The process often involves examination using X-rays and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), as well as counseling. This is done to ensure that the candidate will benefit from a cochlear implant and will have the motivation to participate in the process. It is important that the individual understands what the implant will and will not do and also understands the commitment required for care and follow-up services.

Once the decision is made to go ahead, the surgery is done. Sometimes it involves an overnight stay in the hospital, and sometimes it is done on an outpatient basis.

About 4–6 weeks after surgery, the person returns to the center to be fit with the external parts—the microphone and speech processor—and to activate and program (called mapping) the implant. This initial fitting process is completed over several days and may include additional visits over several months.

The additional visits are needed for activating, adjusting, and programming the various electrodes that have been implanted. Also, as the person develops skill in using the implant, adjustments and reprogramming are required. Usually there are annual visits to the center for checkups once the final programming is made to the speech processor.

Both children and adults receive extensive rehabilitation services from audiologists, speech-language pathologists, teachers, and counselors as they learn to listen, improve speech, use speechreading, and handle communication. They are taught how to use the implant and how to respond to the sounds they are receiving. For those who have heard before, sounds through the cochlear implant may seem unnatural at first. Those who have never heard before must be taught what the sounds are.

Who is best suited for a cochlear implant?

It is generally agreed that the best adult candidates are those who:

Have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears

Have had limited benefit from hearing aids

Have no other medical problems that would make the surgery risky

Have a strong desire to be part of the hearing world and communicate through listening, speaking, and speechreading

Have lost their hearing after speech and language development

Children can be considered for cochlear implants. Children as young as 14 months of age have received cochlear implants, and the potential exists for successful implantation at younger ages.

It is generally agreed that the best child candidates are those who:

Have profound hearing loss in both ears

Have had limited benefit from hearing aids

Are healthy and have no medical conditions that would make the surgery risky

Are involved (when able), along with their parents, in all the steps in the process

Understand (when able), along with their parents, their role in the successful use of cochlear implants

Have (when able), along with their parents, realistic expectations for cochlear implant use

Are willing to be actively involved in their habilitation/rehabilitation

Have support from their educational program to emphasize the development of auditory skills

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About Us

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 182,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students.